Movies I Watched in School (And What I Learned)

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Fri, 06 May 2011 21:55:03 GMT

Senior year, French 4

From what I watched of it, the movie was the Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the 18th century with pompous British accents and Gandalf.

What I learned: How to talk like a British William Shatner.

What About Bob?

Fri, 06 May 2011 21:56:31 GMT

Senior year, Psychology AP

A fun comedy, one of my teacher's favorite movies, and a way to relax right after our AP.

What I learned: Freudian slips--when you say one thing but mean your mother.

Welcome to the Sticks

Fri, 06 May 2011 21:56:56 GMT

Senior year, French 4

Hilarious comedy about a post office manager who is transferred to THE NORTH--a place of isolation, vulgarity, drinking, and weird accents. A great way to learn about places in France other than Paris.

What I learned: Stereotypes are a-okay as long as it pleases your boss.

Death of a Salesman

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:00:01 GMT

Senior year, 12 English Literature AP

Dustin Hoffman in this classic play by Arthur Miller. It was a wonderful movie, and definitely worth watching.

What I learned: Salesmen lead tragic, dramatic lives which can entertain an entire 12 AP class.

Othello

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:00:24 GMT

Senior year, 12 AP

We only saw a few clips of the ending in class, but it's worth mentioning. I watched the entire movie afterwards. Morpheus does a damn good job playing Othello.

Best. Tragedy. Ever.

What I learned: Monologuing makes you look badass.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:01:22 GMT

Junior year, French 3

A musical about a romance in Cherbourg. It's hard to describe unless you've seen it, but I loved this movie. There's a magical appeal to the setting, and the colors are absolutely breathtaking.

What I learned: Marry the rich guy who's in love with you, even though you're pregnant with someone else's kid.

Saving Private Ryan

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:02:29 GMT

Junior year, European History AP

What I learned: Guilt is a great motivator to live your life to the fullest.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:02:50 GMT

Junior year, European History AP

What I learned: Artists are really creepy.

Frost/Nixon

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:03:01 GMT

Sophomore year, American History AP

What I learned: A 2-hour movie about an interview between two middle-aged men will put 75% of the class to sleep.

Primary Colors

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:04:23 GMT

Sophomore year, American History AP

What I learned: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

The Little Prince

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:05:58 GMT

Sophomore year, French 3

What I learned: No matter how you portray it, middle-aged men hanging around a 5 year old is creepy.

Young Frankenstein

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:07:48 GMT

Sophomore year, Honors English

What I learned: Even ugly monsters need love.

Julius Caesar

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:11:48 GMT

What I learned: "ET TU BRUTE?"

Big Fish

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:12:41 GMT

Junior year, English AP

What I learned: Lying is fine, as long as you make them interesting.

Some Like It Hot

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:12:53 GMT

Junior year, English AP

What I learned: Dressing in drag is a solution to all of life's problems--especially if they involve gangs.

Bend It Like Beckham

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:13:15 GMT

Junior year, English AP

What I learned: Life sucks for Indians if they don't want to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

Stand and Deliver

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:14:44 GMT

Sophomore year, Algebra II

What I learned: Through hard work and perseverance, people will accuse you of cheating if you do too well.

Finding Forrester

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:14:59 GMT

Sophomore year, Honors English

What I learned: Old white guys in seclusion are secretly famous writers.

Elizabeth

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:15:53 GMT

Junior year, European History AP

What I learned: Don't piss off Catholics, they will cut you.

Romeo and Juliet

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:18:00 GMT

Freshman year, Honors English

What I learned: Teenagers are too stupid to make their own decisions.

Schindler's List

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:20:50 GMT

Junior year, European History AP

What I learned: No matter what you do, there's always more people you could have saved.

12 Angry Men

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:22:52 GMT

Junior year, English AP

What I learned: How NOT to be a jury member.

The Family Man

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:24:13 GMT

Summer Economics

What I learned: Nicolas Cage is capable of more than one expression on his face and doesn't have to completely lose his shit in movies--something I wasn't aware of through most of his career.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:24:33 GMT

Freshman year, Honors English

What I learned: The creepy recluse from across the street is actually a nice guy, so you should totally hang out with him all the time.

Cinderella Man

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:25:24 GMT

Sophomore year, American History AP

What I learned: The Depression sucked.

The Great Gatsby

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:27:14 GMT

Junior year, English AP

What I learned: Rich people are morally bankrupt, but who cares? They're fabulous everywhere else.

La Boum

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:31:05 GMT

Freshman year, French 1

What I learned: The quality of the rest of your life is based on whether or not you go to a party in high school. If you don't, you'll be labeled a loser forever. For-ever.

Small Change (aka Pocket Money)

Fri, 06 May 2011 22:32:17 GMT

Sophomore year, French 2

What I learned: Kids in France are way too exposed to sex.

As Good as It Gets

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:57:25 GMT

Senior year, Psychology AP

What I learned: Jack Nicholson plays crazy assholes a little too well.

The Dinner Game

Wed, 18 May 2011 14:37:39 GMT

Senior year, French 4

What I learned: Don't let an idiot use your phone.

La Vie en Rose

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:57:55 GMT

Senior year, French 4

What I learned: A tortured life makes for a tortured movie in a room full of tortured kids.